A 52-year-old woman was arrested on January 29 after being found in possession of stolen Eskom cables and Transnet tarpaulins. Glaudia Mogiba appeared in the Calcutta Magistrate Court on Thursday, February 1st facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property. She was granted R5000 bail and the case was postponed to March 28th.
Mogiba was arrested on January 29th after the Hawks acted on a tip-off about a Mkhuhlu house storing copper cables transported late at night. Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said upon arrival, Mogiba granted permission to search and cables covered in Transnet tarps were discovered. More cable rolls were found outside, as well as under sheets.
An Eskom official identified the cables as company property. A Fidelity Guards investigator confirmed the tarps belonged to Transnet. Numerous aluminium pots, suspected to be made by smelting stolen cables, were found inside and outside the home.
Mogiba now faces charges of possession of suspected stolen cables and tarps. The cables and tarps were confiscated as evidence. Mogiba was granted bail but faces further investigation and another court appearance on March 28th. Officials warn cable theft carries serious penalties and encourages the public to report suspicious activity.
